FLUSHING, N.Y., November 7, 2012 – Jason Bay and the New York Mets today announced a negotiated early expiration of his contract. The agreement provides Bay his unconditional free agency while the Mets gain roster flexibility. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Jason is a great teammate, hard worker, stand-up guy, and true gentleman,” said Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon. “Like Jason, we had planned for the kind of production here that he enjoyed in Boston and Pittsburgh, where he established himself as one of the game’s top players. We wish Jason and his family success and happiness in the future.”

“Jason has a tremendous work ethic. There was never any question about it,” said Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson. “Unfortunately, the results weren’t there and we are in a results-oriented business. We thank Jason for his efforts and wish him well.”

“I still feel I have plenty to give to this game and that I can play baseball at a high level. But after serious consideration, both sides agree that we would benefit from a fresh start,” said Bay. “I’m grateful we were able to reach an agreement to allow that to happen. I’m excited to keep playing and have no intention of just walking away. I enjoyed my time in New York. I have no regrets in signing with the Mets, other than that I wasn’t able to play to the level that the team, the fans and I all expected and that we weren’t able to win more games. I move on with nothing but an appreciation for the organization and its fans and best wishes to all my teammates there.”

“As I’ve previously said, there’s not a player who tried harder to succeed or was more frustrated and disappointed than Jason himself,” said Mets Manager Terry Collins. “I’ll miss Jason’s presence in the clubhouse as a player, teammate, and person.”

Bay was signed as a free agent by the Mets on January 5, 2010 to a four-year contract with a vesting option for a fifth year.

FLUSHING, N.Y., November 5, 2012 – The New York Mets today announced they will hold a Food Drive Wednesday, November 14 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at Citi Field to benefit New Yorkers in need.

Fans can drop off their food donation inside the Hodges VIP entrance next to the Mets Team Store.

Fans donating 10 items or more of nonperishable nutritious food will receive a voucher redeemable for one pair of tickets to a select Mets game in April 2013. Donors will also receive 15% off select merchandise at the Mets Team Store at Citi Field. Season Ticket Holders who donate food can show their ID card to get 20% off select items. The discount will only be honored Wednesday, November 14.

Among the items most needed are: canned fruit and vegetables, plastic jars of peanut butter, packages of hot or cold cereal, and packages of macaroni and cheese. Items that will not be accepted are: unlabeled, expired, or dented cans; any open packaging; products that need to be refrigerated; or homemade products.

Fans dropping off food may park in Lot G on 126th Street between the Right Field Gate and Roosevelt Avenue.

City Harvest is working to help meet the needs of Hurricane Sandy victims while continuing to feed hungry New Yorkers through its network of emergency food partners. In addition to daily deliveries to soup kitchens and food pantries across the five boroughs, City Harvest has been making emergency food drop-offs to Staten Island, Coney Island and Red Hook in Brooklyn, Breezy Point and Rockaway in Queens, and Manhattan.

About City Harvest:

Now serving New York City for 30 years, City Harvest (www.cityharvest.org) is the world’s first food rescue organization, dedicated to feeding the city’s hungry men, women, and children. This year, City Harvest will collect more than 42 million pounds of excess food from all segments of the food industry, including restaurants, grocers, corporate cafeterias, manufacturers, and farms. This food is then delivered free of charge to some 600 community food programs throughout New York City by a fleet of trucks and bikes. City Harvest helps feed the more than one million New Yorkers that face hunger each year.

Below is a preview to the 2013 The 7 Line Calandar: 12 Months Of Orange and Blue! Once again I am a sponsor of the calendar. Check out the video below and the calendar release part is scheduled for November 10 at McFadden’s Citi Field. Hope to see you there!

Registration for the opportunity to purchase ticket strips and to volunteer for 2013 MLB All-Star events will begin, Thursday, October 4th for the general public at allstargame.com and mets.com/2013. Each strip includes one ticket to each All-Star Week event at the ballpark, two MLB All-Star FanFest tickets and one Official All-Star Game program. MLB All-Star Week at Citi Field includes the 84th MLB All-Star Game (July 16th), Gatorade All-Star Workout Day (July 15th) featuring the Home Run Derby and All-Star Batting Practice, and Taco Bell All-Star Sunday (July 14th) featuring the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game and the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game. MLB All-Star FanFest (July 12th–16th) will be held at the Javits Center.

Winners for ticket strips will be selected at random to ensure as many fans as possible have the chance to purchase strips.Existing New York Mets Full Season Ticket and 40-Game Plan Holders, as well as 20-Game and 15-Game Plan Holders that qualified for a strip offer before July 10, 2012, will receive information in the coming months regarding their opportunity to purchase 2013 All-Star Game Ticket Strips.

With thousands of baseball fans from around the world planning to visit New York City during 2013 MLB All-Star Week, 2,000 community volunteers will be sought to assist with All-Star Week and All-Star FanFest. Qualified volunteers must be 18 years of age or older (as of June 30, 2013), enjoy baseball and volunteering, pass a background check and be available to work a minimum of three shifts during MLB All-Star Week.

The 2013 All-Star Game will mark the second time that the Mets, who are commemorating their 50th anniversary in 2012, will host the Midsummer Classic. Shea Stadium hosted the 1964 All-Star Game, a 7-4 National League victory that featured 21 participating Hall of Famers, including Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Sandy Koufax, Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays, as well as two of MLB’s Executive Vice Presidents, Frank Robinson and Joe Torre. (Highlights of the 1964 All-Star Game at Shea Stadium are available here, courtesy of MLB Productions: http://atmlb.com/JjiQ9W.) It will be the ninth All-Star Game in Baseball history to be played in New York City, which is the most of any host city.

Gatorade All-Star Workout Day features American League and National League batting practice followed by the Home Run Derby, where players from each League participate in a home run hitting contest. Recent winners include Prince Fielder (2012), Robinson Cano (2011) and David Ortiz (2010).

Taco Bell All-Star Sunday includes the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, which showcases many of the top Minor League prospects and has featured current Mets Matt Harvey (2011), David Wright (2004) and Andres Torres (2002). In addition to Wright, other players who have competed in both the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game and the MLB All-Star Game include Prince Fielder, Josh Hamilton, Bryce Harper, Felix Hernandez, Mike Trout, Justin Verlander and Joey Votto. The 2013 Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game, also part of Taco Bell All-Star Sunday, will feature stars from film, music, television and entertainment teaming up with former Major Leaguers and former Mets stars immediately following the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. Past celebrity participants have included Jon Hamm, Jimmy Kimmel, Kate Upton, Marisa Miller, Chris Rock and Jordin Sparks. The game has also featured a collection of Hall of Famers including Ernie Banks, Rollie Fingers, Goose Gossage, Rickey Henderson, Paul Molitor, Ozzie Smith and Dave Winfield.

Major League Baseball All-Star FanFest will be held at the Javits Center. The five-day event, beginning on July 12th will serve as the launch for MLB All-Star Week, which will culminate with the 84th Midsummer Classic on July 16th at Citi Field. MLB All-Star FanFest is the world’s largest interactive baseball fan event, providing an unrivaled experience for fans of all ages. Among its attractions are an exhibit from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, batting cages, clinics from Major League legends, free autograph sessions with former Mets and MLB legends, memorabilia, and much more.